In a world filled with uncertainty, preppers understand that self-reliance is key, and one area that often gets overlooked is herbal remedies. When modern medicine may not be available, these time-tested, natural alternatives can be lifesaving. Let’s look into some essential herbs every prepper should know, stock, and learn how to use.
1. Echinacea
Uses: Immune system booster
Why You Need It: Known for its immune-boosting properties, Echinacea can help ward off colds, flu, and infections. It is invaluable during times when medical care might not be readily available. Stock it as dried herbs or tinctures to fight seasonal illnesses and keep your immunity strong.
Immune-Boosting Tea Recipe:
1 tbsp dried Echinacea (root or flower)
1 cup boiling water
Steep for 15 minutes, strain, and drink 1-3 times a day at the onset of cold or flu symptoms.
2. Peppermint
Uses: Digestive aid, headache relief
Why You Need It: Peppermint can help with indigestion, nausea, and even tension headaches. Its leaves can be brewed into a tea or applied topically. In stressful survival situations, stomach problems are common, and peppermint is a great natural remedy to have on hand.
Digestive Aid Tea:
1 tsp dried peppermint leaves
1 cup boiling water
Steep for 5-10 minutes. Drink after meals to relieve indigestion and nausea.
3. Garlic
Uses: Natural antibiotic, antiviral, antifungal
Why You Need It: Garlic is a powerhouse for fighting off infections, both internally and externally. It has antimicrobial properties and can be used in tinctures or consumed raw to combat colds, sore throats, and minor infections.
Garlic Honey Cough Syrup:
5-6 garlic cloves, crushed
1 cup honey
Combine garlic and honey, let sit overnight. Take a spoonful as needed to ease coughing and boost immunity.
4. Lavender
Uses: Calming agent, wound healing
Why You Need It: Lavender is known for its calming effects, helping with anxiety, stress, and sleep problems. It’s also useful in treating cuts, burns, and skin irritations. When the world feels chaotic, lavender can help bring peace and aid wound healing.
Calming Lavender Oil:
1 cup coconut oil
2 tbsp dried lavender flowers
Simmer on low for 30 mins, strain, and store in a jar. Apply to temples or wrists for relaxation or use as a natural sleep aid.
5. Comfrey
Uses: Wound healing, bone repair
Why You Need It: Known as "knitbone," comfrey is highly regarded for its ability to speed up healing for bones, muscles, and ligaments. In a scenario where medical attention is delayed, comfrey can help treat sprains, breaks, and wounds.
Comfrey Salve for Wounds:
1 cup dried comfrey leaves
1 cup olive oil
1/4 cup beeswax
Infuse comfrey in oil over low heat for 2 hours, strain, then melt beeswax into the oil. Store in a tin and apply to wounds.
Warning: Comfrey is for external use only and not for use on broken skin or open wounds!
6. Calendula
Uses: Skin healing, anti-inflammatory
Why You Need It: Calendula is useful for cuts, scrapes, and burns. This herb has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that promote skin healing. It can be applied topically as a salve or consumed as a tea for internal health.
Calendula Skin Healing Balm:
1 cup dried calendula flowers
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup beeswax
Infuse flowers in oil on low heat for 2 hours, strain, and mix with melted beeswax. Apply to cuts, burns, and rashes.
7. Yarrow
Uses: Bleeding control, fever reduction
Why You Need It: Yarrow is excellent for staunching bleeding from wounds and can help lower fevers. It's a survival must-have for any prepper looking for natural first-aid remedies.
Yarrow Poultice for Bleeding:
Fresh yarrow leaves
Mash leaves and apply directly to wounds to stop bleeding and promote healing. Wrap with a bandage and leave on for a few hours.
8. Elderberry
Uses: Cold and flu remedy, immune support
Why You Need It: Elderberry is highly effective in reducing the severity and duration of colds and flu. A vital remedy in a long-term grid-down scenario, elderberry can be stored as dried berries or syrup for easy use.
Elderberry Syrup:
1 cup dried elderberries
3 cups water
1 cup honey
Simmer elderberries in water for 45 minutes, strain, and mix in honey. Take 1 tbsp daily for immune support or at the onset of flu symptoms.
Practical Stocking Tips
When stocking herbal remedies, it’s important to consider both dried herbs and essential oils. Tinctures (alcohol-based extracts) are also a great way to preserve the potency of herbs for long-term storage. Familiarize yourself with basic herbal preparation methods, such as making teas, infusions, salves, and tinctures.
For extended shelf life, store your herbal remedies in airtight containers, away from heat and light. Rotation is key—just like with food storage, herbs lose potency over time, so plan to cycle through them every 6-12 months.
Spiritual Connection: God’s Healing through Nature
As God's Prepared Warriors, we understand that everything we need for healing and sustenance was created by God. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and to acknowledge Him in all our ways. Stocking these herbs is not just a practical step in preparedness; it’s also a way of being good stewards of the natural remedies God has provided. Even in difficult times, God has given us the resources to care for ourselves and others.
Warning: Safety First!
While herbal remedies can be powerful, they must be used with caution. Some herbs can have side effects or interact with other medications, so always research dosage and contraindications before use. Avoid wild foraging unless you are confident in identifying the plants, as many look-alike plants can be toxic. Always consult a trained herbalist or healthcare professional if you are unsure.
Preparedness means being ready for anything and knowing how to use and store herbal remedies is a skill that will serve you well in a crisis. By learning these natural remedies, you can be self-sufficient and ensure that you and your family have the resources to stay healthy, no matter the circumstances.
Stay ready, stay prayerful, and trust that God has equipped you for every challenge.
Disclaimer
We are not medical professionals or licensed herbalists. This blog post is intended for informational purposes only, based on research we've conducted. Before using any herbal remedy, we encourage you to do your own thorough research and consult with a healthcare professional, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have pre-existing health conditions. Natural remedies can have potent effects, and it's essential to ensure they are safe and right for your unique situation. Always use caution when foraging or using herbs.
Fernando
God's Prepared Warrior
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God's Prepared Warrior Picks for this blog:
1. Echinacea - Frontier Co-op Echinacea Purpurea Root 16oz. - https://amzn.to/3BUqPBz
2. Peppermint - Anthony's Organic Peppermint Leaves 16oz. - https://amzn.to/4eSYbiN
3. Garlic - Fresh Garlic USA California Heirloom 2lbs. - https://amzn.to/3Adg78C
Nate's California 100% Pure, Raw & Unfiltered Honey 16oz. - https://amzn.to/4e1du7H
4. Lavender - Lavender Buds Dried Flowers,100% Natural 1lb. - https://amzn.to/4eeMwtz
Viva Naturals Organic Coconut Oil Unrefined 16 fl. oz. - https://amzn.to/4henbCD
5. Comfrey - Organic Comfrey Root 16oz. - https://amzn.to/3A6kVN3
Pompeian USDA Organic Smooth Extra Virgin Olive Oil - https://amzn.to/3YgHE0W
Beesworks Yellow Beeswax Pellets 1lb. - https://amzn.to/4eRtI4H
6. Calendula - FGO Organic Calendula Flowers, Whole, From Egypt, 16oz. - https://amzn.to/3BXFnjN
Pompeian USDA Organic Smooth Extra Virgin Olive Oil - https://amzn.to/3YgHE0W
Beesworks Yellow Beeswax Pellets 1lb. - https://amzn.to/4eRtI4H
7. Yarrow - Frontier Co-op Organic Cut & Sifted Yarrow Flowers 1lb. - https://amzn.to/4dVDelP
8. Elderberry - Starwest Botanicals Organic Dried Elder Berries, 1lb. - https://amzn.to/3UjBvQi
Nate's California 100% Pure, Raw & Unfiltered Honey 16oz. - https://amzn.to/4e1du7H
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